Mucilage, a water-soluble polysaccharide found in the epiderm of flaxseed, is a major constituent of the soluble fibre fraction found in flaxseed. It is suggested to have a hypoglycemic effect when incorporated into the human diet. This investigation examined a number of unit operations which may be involved in flaxseed mucilage processing, namely, mucilage extraction, flaxseed drying and mucilage recovery. Extraction of mucilage is best achieved through a high temperature aqueous extraction. For this reason, water absorption characteristics of flaxseed were studied and modeled as a function of soaking time and temperature. The mucilage extraction characteristics were also modeled with respect to soaking time and temperature. The drying characteristics of flaxseed were also studied and modeled as a function of the temperature, airflow velocity, and initial moisture content in order to optimize the drying of the soaked flaxseed. Mucilage yield increased as the extraction temperature increased, and that the highest yield values occurred at extraction temperatures of 80 and 90°C.